God's Worst Punishment He Can Give to Man

"And Cain said to the LORD, "This punishment is too hard for me to bear.
You are driving me off the land and away from your presence. I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth, and anyone who finds me will kill me." But the LORD answered, "No. If anyone kills you, seven lives will be taken in revenge." So the LORD put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who met him not to kill him. And Cain went away from the LORD's presence and lived in a land called "Wandering," which is east of Eden." -Genesis 4:13-16, GNB

Anytime we are away from the presence of the Lord we find ourselves in the land of "wandering" and our lives in danger. Cain understood the consequences of being away from the presence of the Lord. He considered himself a prey. He was afraid for his life.

"Away from the Presence of the Lord" is the worst punishment that can be put on any man. Hell with all of its pain, torment, darkness, hopelessness, and demons; would be bearable if it wasn't for the absence of the presence of God. David in grief over his adulterous relationship with Bethsheba writes, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me" {Psalm 51:11]. David too, like Cain, understood that the absence of God's presence is the absolute worse punishment that could be put on man.

In Psalm 51:11, notice David's great concern that the Holy Spirit would be taken from him. David understood God's presence to be coupled with the reality that the Holy Spirit was nearby...with him. Jesus promised us in John 14:17, "[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

How can you make sure you are "in the presence of God?" Invite His Holy Spirit[the Spirit of Truth] to live in you! Romans 8:2 reads "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Paul is reminding us that the Spirit of Life comes to live in us through Jesus Christ. In essence, it is an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ that brings about the daily presence of Almighty God in our lives.

There are many people today that choose to live away from the presence of God. Is it any wonder like Cain they too feel like a prey and live in constant fear. How sad, only if they knew and would realize that Christ came to free us from sin an death.

Let me one more time encourage you to turn your life over to Christ. Turn everything over to Him. Turn from your sins today and begin enjoying a relationship with Him...that's how we get and live in the presence of the Lord.